West Brom predicted XI v Portsmouth – Grady Diangana, Mikey Johnston decisions made
Carlos Corberan could hand Mikey Johnston his first start since returning to the club when West Brom travel to Portsmouth on Sunday [15 September].
The Baggies have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign and will be looking to pile on the misery for the newly-promoted side coming off the back of a 3-1 loss to Sunderland.
Grady Diangana was missing from the matchday squad that beat Swansea City 1-0 before the international break and, while the club are optimistic he will be available [Express & Star], it provides the perfect opportunity to hand Johnston his first start of the season.
Corberan has been justified in his selections so far this season and, after three wins and one draw from the opening four fixtures, there is not much need for the Spaniard to tinker with his side.
West Brom likely to make only one change
The defence for West Brom picks itself. With only two goals conceded this season, all those who played before the international break should keep their place in the side.
Alex Palmer looks set to continue between the sticks, with Darnell Furlong lining up at right-back with a solid centre-back partnership of Kyle Bartley and Sam Ajayi. The Nigerian is returning to the Albion in fine form after an excellent display for Nigeria in the 3-0 win against Benin.
Torbjorn Heggem will be expected to complete the backline. The Norwegian has settled into life with ease at The Hawthorns following his summer move from IF Brommapojkarna.
Jayson Molumby and Alex Mowatt formed a formidable partnership in the centre of midfield last time out. The pair should be in line to start alongside each other again against Portsmouth but new signing Uros Racic will be waiting in the wings.
Mikey Johnston could be handed his first start
Tom Fellows has been incredible for the Baggies at the start of the season with three assists in four matches and will surely be the first name on the team sheet on the right-hand side for Corberan. John Swift is likely to resume his role behind the striker.
With Diangana racing a race against time to be declared fit for the match, there seems no better time to hand Mikey Johnston his first start. The winger was electric during his loan spell at The Hawthorns last term and will be looking to kickstart the campaign against Portsmouth as a permanent West Brom player.
Another that is undroppable at the moment is Josh Maja. The Nigerian followed his opening day hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers with another goal against Stoke City and, with Daryl Dike still not close to a return, Maja will continue at the spearhead of the attack.
In other West Brom news, Mikey Johnston makes West Brom injury admission after permanent transfer.
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